ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - President Bush’s commitment to AIDS relief, particularly in Africa, may be the one achievement that is widely respected around the world and across the political spectrum

You’ll probably hear one word from Laura Bush’s speech again and again this convention: Safe. We’ve kept you safe. It’s a major theme of the GOP convention.

What she didn’t talk about are the kind of achievements that two-term president Bill Clinton talked about in 2000, when he walked into the arena and his accomplishments scrolled across the stage: economics, economics, economics. You didn’t hear any of that from her, and probably won’t hear much from anyone else.

There was an incredibly moving tribute to Navy seal, Michael Monsoor, who threw himself on a grenade to save fellow seals in 2006, in the process giving his own life.

He received the Medal of Honor posthumously. His sister is here. She received a sustained standing ovation. Several other medal recipients from previous wars are also being honored - leading to the most exercised this crowd has been so far tonight. Now two dozen former POWs from Vietnam are being honored - old soldiers make for poignant moments.

Laura Bush, in her second appearance at this convention gets big applause too. She is the most popular person in the White House right now - her approval rating is over 60 percent.

She puts her seal of approval on Sarah Palin: "I'm proud the nation's first female vice-president will be a republican woman."

Orson Swindle former POW and Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission.

Orson Swindle was a very big Ross Perot supporter in 1992. Perot had a special bond with veterans – which helps explain Swindle’s relationship with both Perot and McCain.

They’re beginning the evening with a tribute to those who highlight a portion of McCain’s life story: his time as a POW.

You know, John Kerry ran on his military record in 2004. And what he discovered was a lot of voters respected and admired his military record but wondered: why exactly does that make him qualified to be president? You just wonder, what does it have to do with solving the problems we have now?

As Republicans gather tonight for their convention, they face three looming challenges, in my judgment. Would welcome your thoughts:

(1) Regain the momentum in this presidential campaign: Two weeks ago, Republicans had successfully set up this election as a referendum on Barack Obama and his readiness to be president. And John McCain was surging upward; he had the "Big Mo," as George H.W. Bush used to say. But in the wake of a successful Democratic convention and controversies swirling around McCain's selection of Sarah Palin, the conversation has shifted dramaticallly. Now, as this convention starts, a growing number of voters are asking: is the McCain-Palin ticket up to this? In short, it is becoming a referendum now about the GOP ticket, not the Democratic ticket. And as those questions arise, the Democrats are rising: recent polls show them, on average, with about a 6 point lead - up from a virtual tie two weeks ago. So the Republicans have to reverse that tide here.

Sarah Palin will receive an award from the Republican National Coalition for Life.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - Sarah Palin had been scheduled to receive an award from the Republican National Coalition for Life on Tuesday to celebrate her opposition to abortion rights, but pulled out of the event last night, presumably to work on her vice presidential nomination speech.

Though many of the Republicans sipping wine and beer at the "Life of the Party" event knew that Palin's plans had changed, others were surprised and disappointed by the news.

"She's got a higher calling now," Robert said, referring to her much anticipated appearance at the convention on Wednesday night. The couple called to mind how they had shuttled Palin around Fairbanks in their car during the 2006 race, and gushed about her authenticity and down-to-earth demeanor.

Another anti-abortion advocate, Morton Blackwell of Arlington, Virginia, was asked if he was upset Palin couldn't make it.

"Yeah, but clearly she is working on the speech, its extremely important," he said. "I understand it. I'm not happy about it. They should have walked her in and out and let her wave and leave without talking."

Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafley, founder of the Republican National Coalition for Life, told the audience she was "very disappointed" Palin had to cancel. But she nevertheless commended the new running mate for energizing the party's grassroots.

"It is so exciting the way Sarah Palin has invigorated the Republican Party," Schlafley said. "All those people who were holding back and not sure, they're all excited to go to work and elect the McCain-Palin ticket this year."